The first written reference in Kodokan refers that Gurudev Ravinder Nath Tagore arranged demonstrations and coaching of Judo at Shantiniketan in 1929 by Mr. Takagaki, a Japanese Judo Coach to India. This unforgettable, historical union of outstanding personalities in two different fields was blessed with the formation of a special poem, on Judo, written by none other that Gurudev Ravindernath Tagore himself.

Although, evidence are available that many Indians learned Judo in Kodokan before 1929 also, and few years later Judo also started in Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.

In 1965 when Judo Federation of India was formed, there were three prominent Judo Clubs in India, i.e. Kajau Judo Club, Wallesley St. Culcutta, Bombay Judo Club, and Fargusion College, Pune.

The next 30 years consolidated the game of Judo in other States and Clubs of India. There were efforts to broadbase the game and to encourage likeminded individuals to learn the art and skill of Judo.

The formation of Judo Federation of India in 1965, considerably accelerated the growth of Judo in India. During the same year the International Judo Federation gave affiliation to this newly constituted body. The first National Judo Championship was held at Hyderabad in 1966, and since then almost every year National Judo Championships are being organized by the Judo Federation of India.

By the Seventies, the game of Judo had generated considerable interest among Indians Certainly, a need for professional Indian Judo Coaches was being felt, as it was not possible to call foreign experts all the time. To overcome this problem and to train more and more Coaches Mr. Takashi Ogata was invited to India in 1976, to start a Diploma course at NS NIS, Patiala. Mr. Morio Suganami, a Japanese Judo Coach, who visited India in 1979, also helped a lot in promotion of Judo. The efforts made by Mr. Khaniwale, Mr. N.T. Bangera and Dr. Pisolkar in promotion of Judo in India is praiseworthy, and unforgettable.

Indian Judo owes much to the efforts of Mr. Jagdish Tytler, President, Judo Federation of India and Mr. L.K. Daga, former General Secretary for giving tremendous boost to Judo by ensuring entry of Indian Team in International competitions. Judo was included in the Asian Games in 1986 at Seoul. This was the first International competition for Indian Judo Team and they got FOUR BRONZE Medals. Thereafter, India is continuously winning medals in the International arena.

So far the following Indian Judokas has participated in the Olympic Games:

1992 Barcelona Olympics: Mr. Sandeep Byala
Mr. Cawas Billimoria

2000 Athens Olympics: Ms. Brojeshwori Devi

2004 Sydney Olympics: Mr. Akram Shah

2008 Beijing Olympics: Ms. Kh. Tombi Devi & Ms. Diviya

The following Judo players has awarded, the ARJUNA AWARD from the Government of India, on their outstanding performance in the International Judo events: